The Effects Of Risk Taking In The Creating And Maintaining Of A Democratic Republic

Maxwell Carter

Mrs. Boesel

AP Eng Lang

5/5/23

The Effects of Risk-Taking in the Creating and Maintaining of a Democratic Republic

The development and maintenance of a democratic republic require individuals and leaders to take risks in order to achieve their goals. Risk-taking plays a crucial role in the development and pursuit of creating and maintaining a democratic republic, as demonstrated by the actions and words of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, John Winthrop, and William Faulkner. In his “Second Inaugural Address,” Abraham Lincoln spoke about the need for reconciliation and unity after the Civil War. In the “Declaration of Independence,” Thomas Jefferson wrote about the importance of individual rights and the need for people to stand

Lincoln took the risk of issuing the Emancipation Proclamation in order to end slavery and preserve democracy within the Union. This action was not without its critics, but Lincoln believed that it was necessary in order to achieve the greater good. Lincoln’s quote, “The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully.” (Lincoln), reflects his belief that both sides had been wrong in imagining what lay before them when the war began four years earlier. He balanced that rejection of triumphalism with recognition of the unmistakable evil of slavery. In this context, one could say that Lincoln’s willingness to take risks and make difficult decisions was crucial in creating a democratic society that could begin to heal from the wounds of war. He understood that taking risks was an essential part of leadership and that sometimes he must be willing to make difficult decisions in order to achieve progress. Lincoln’s willingness to take risks in the pursuit of a better future for all Americans is a testament to his commitment to the principles of

Faulkner risked using his writing to address difficult social issues and challenge traditional norms. His willingness to tackle controversial subjects earned him both praise and criticism, but Faulkner believed that it was a necessary risk in order to promote understanding and empathy. Faulkner proposed a rhetorical question, “When will I be blown up? Because of this, the young man or woman writing today has forgotten the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself which alone can make good writing because only that is worth writing about, worth the agony and the sweat.” (Faulkner) Faulkner emphasizes the importance of addressing difficult social issues and challenging traditional norms through writing, even in the face of fear and uncertainty. He understood that taking risks was an essential part of creating literature and that sometimes bold expression is required in order to challenge the status quo. Faulkner’s willingness to take risks in the pursuit of progress and change is a testament to his commitment to the principles of